"I know that I can't say that I was not a part of a product of that," the Catholic legislator argued.
Your ancestors were either rapists, or were having sex with relatives -- at least, that appeared to be the opinion of US Representative Steve King on Wednesday, who was summarily dragged online for his comments.
"What if we went back through all the family trees and just pulled those people out that were products of rape and incest? Would there be any population of the world left if we did that?" he asked a crowd of 50 at the Westside Conservative Club in Urbandale, Iowa.
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View Story"Considering all the wars and all the rapes and pillages that's taken place throughout society... I know that I can't say that I was not a part of a product of that," he added.
The 70-year-old Republican was discussing his views on abortion and the controversial Heartbeat Bill when he made the comments, according to the Des Moines Register.
He argued that just because a conception happened in bad circumstances, the result of those circumstances is still a person.
"I understand it's not the baby's fault... because of the sins of the father; and maybe sometimes the sins of the mother, too," he said.
His comments didn't go down too well on Twitter, with Bernie Sanders leading the charge for his resignation.
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View Story"Steve King is a racist, a misogynist and a disgrace to the country. He should not be a member of the United States Congress," he tweeted.
Alyssa Milano added him to a pile she was already not happy with: "The Republican Party: Trump, Moore, Kavanaugh, Herman Cain, Clarence Thomas, Pat Meehan, Trent Franks, David Vitter, Eric Greitens, Alex Kozibski, David Vitter, Clint Reid Hastert and Steve F--king King," she summarized.
Fred Guttenberg -- hun safety advocate and father to Parkland shooting victim Jamie —0 wrote: "According to @SteveKingIA our survival is dependent on rape and incest. I am not sure if he is making an admission but at least we now understand the perverted mind behind his abortion stance. Seriously, how is this guy still a Congressman?"
The best response however came from Joe Hill, the son of one very famous and unfortunately-similarly named horror writer. "Couldn't he be named Shep King? Or Stanley King? Or Sidney King? Really anything except Steve King?" he lamented.
See more reactions from other celebrities, politicians, pundits and presidential hopefuls below:
Steve King is a racist, a misogynist and a disgrace to the country. He should not be a member of the United States Congress. https://t.co/QZbXSEFpdw
@BernieSanders
The Republican Party: Trump, Moore, Kavanaugh, Herman Cain, Clarence Thomas, Pat Meehan, Trent Franks, David Vitter, Eric Greitens, Alex Kozibski, David Vitter, Clint Reid Hastert and Steve Fucking King. https://t.co/jgp97OGYaY
@Alyssa_Milano
Lock steve king up now.
@RoArquette
Here we are seeing this insanity. steve King trying to normalize Rape and incest . No no no we will not let you Normalize it. No.
@RoArquette
Ken Cuccinelli: "Hey, Steve King, I really screwed up with this whole Statue of Liberty thing. Can you help?"
@wkamaubell
Steve King: "I got you... Rape & incest get a bad rap... Hey Ben Shapiro, I really screwed up with this rape & incest thing. Can you..."
Ben Shapiro: "I GOT YOU!" https://t.co/akeeUxTY8Q
Iowans have long deserved better than Steve King and his hateful, insulting words. He should resign.
@CoryBooker
We can show him it's time to go by donating to the guy who will beat him—my inspiring friend @JDScholten: https://t.co/v3Kd7Y9JCV https://t.co/g6cgOswmjp
According to @SteveKingIA our survival is dependent on rape and incest. I am not sure if he is making an admission but at least we now understand the perverted mind behind his abortion stance. Seriously, how is this guy still a Congressman?https://t.co/BW71eEbkHR
@fred_guttenberg
Couldn't he be named Shep King? Or Stanley King? Or Sidney King? Really anything except Steve King? https://t.co/mw1AxyAe6d
@joe_hill
Steve King must resign. His latest comment is a disgusting attack on victims of sexual assault. The people of #IA04 deserve better. We must work together to elect @JDScholten in 2020. https://t.co/y5QDB4ToHc
@ewarren
.@SteveKingIA: You are a disgrace. Resign. https://t.co/Tbu1e1mZ9O
@SenGillibrand
I've heard a lot of anti-abortion arguments but Steve King's "well, rapists gonna rape so 🤷🏼♂️" has go to be the weirdest.pic.twitter.com/BVImOm8EDV
@AynRandPaulRyan
Steve King has no place in Congress. Time and time again, he has embarrassed himself and denigrated his office.
@JulianCastro
Hey, @JDScholten, I'm ready for another Winnebago road trip—it's time to unseat this bigot.https://t.co/eHnsSqLA7F
My friend @JDScholten is standing up and fighting back against Steve King, and he needs all of our help — because no matter where you live, you know there's no place for Steve King's racism, bigotry, and hatred in Congress.
@BetoORourke
Pitch in: https://t.co/X0C2Yrt8tq https://t.co/PDzXsj36mF
If anything, Steve King should be defending inbreeding.
@ananavarro
People of Iowa, you are some of the nicest people I've ever met. For the love of God, get rid of this embarrassment to your beautiful state. https://t.co/CHRgz6jy0Q
Rape apologists have no place in Congress. Iowans deserve better than Steve King. Donate now to his opponent, @JDScholten. https://t.co/jQnerNfcGT
@KamalaHarris
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